It was confirmed today that the Olympic Games of Motocross, the FIM Motocross of Nations will be hosted in Northern Ireland in September 2008, and in Italy in 2009, with the latter venue still to be announced.

Widely regarded as the largest and most prestigious off road motorcycle race in the world, the Motocross of Nations 2008 will be hosted at Moneyglass Demesne, the venue which held the FIM World Championship Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland in August 2007.

At the official press conference at the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations 2007, Budds Creek, Maryland, were FIM President Vito Ippolito; FIM/CMS President Dr. Wolfgang Srb; President of Youthstream, Giuseppe Luongo; Jasper Perry, Acting Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Events Company; Paolo Sesti, President of the FMI-Italian Motorcycling Federation.

Giuseppe Luongo stated: “I am very satisfied about the latest FIM Motocross of Nations; it was a success, and it means that this event is becoming bigger and bigger. We want to continue to grow, and this is why we already look at the future, by announcing the venues of the FIM Motocross of Nations for the next two years. We will go to Northern Ireland in 2008, then to Italy in 2009. We want to go bigger and better, and we have to work to bring the event to very big venues, with a lot of space that we can use. This is our goal and we are not taking a step back; we want to be able to run the event in any weather conditions, because we do not want to stop.”

Dr. Wolfgang Srb said: “The Motocross of Nations has developed a lot, it is the showcase of our world and we host incredibly big crowds nowadays. As Giuseppe Luongo said, we need to grow and we will grow. I am very happy to see that Northern Ireland Events Company is trying to solve the problems we encountered at the GP this year, in preparation for next year’s Motocross of Nations.”

Jasper Perry commented: “We are delighted to have been awarded the FIM Motocross of Nations. For the last four years the Northern Ireland Events Company has worked with Youthstream and the FIM to bring the Olympic Games of Motocross to Northern Ireland and I would like to thank them for the opportunity to host the Motocross of Nations. It is a truly world class event and for Northern Ireland to be the focus of the motocross world next September is something to be justifiably proud of. I look forward to welcoming all competitors, spectators and officials representing the 35 expected nations in September 2008 and am sure they will all receive the legendary hospitality that we are famous for.”

Paolo Sesti added: “We have to thank FIM/CMS and Youthstream for bringing the Motocross of Nations to Italy, a venue where the event has been missing for many years. In the meantime Motocross has grown up a lot; we think that such an event requires very precise choices, we have to find good technical solutions to avoid any problems connected to such big crowds.”

With teams ranging from Australia, Belgium, Chile, Great Britain, Italy, Ireland and the USA through to Venezuela at this year’s event the FIM Motocross of Nations is unique in the way it brings nations together to compete at the highest level. With the expected battle between the top ranking teams of USA, Belgium, New Zealand and Great Britain the FIM Motocross of Nations promises the best performances from the world’s greatest riders in pursuit of the most coveted trophy in the sport, the Chamberlain Trophy. As well as the top tier competitors riders representing nations including Japan, Estonia, Puerto Rico and Ecuador were present at the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations 2007, emphasizing the international aspect of the event. With Team USA competing at their only event on the international Motocross calendar the Motocross of Nations secures world – wide media coverage through print and broadcast formats, ensuring the host nation is showcased on the world stage.

Moneyglass Demesne, near Antrim in Northern Ireland will be the venue for the FIM Motocross of Nations 2008 and will feature developments from the track that hosted the Northern Ireland GP in 2007. With a larger paddock, increased spectator viewing, grandstand seating and other site improvements combined with the infamous support of the motorsport fanatics in Northern Ireland the Motocross of Nations 2008 is assured of a worthy venue.

The Motocross of Nations in Northern Ireland is supported by Northern Ireland Events, Antrim Borough Council and P&O Irish Sea and the M.C.U.I.

The Northern Ireland Events Company:

The Northern Ireland Events Company is the organization responsible for developing and implementing a major events strategy for Northern Ireland. The company has promoted and delivered Motocross Grand Prix’s in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, each with the aim of promoting Northern Ireland on the world stage. Further details on the company can be found at www.nievents.co.uk.

Event information:

The Motocross of Nations is the most prestigious off road motorcycle race in the world and features teams competing by nationality to accumulate a combined score.
The Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations 2007 was held in Budd’s Creek, Maryland, USA. This was the first time the event has been held in the USA since 1987 when it was held at Unadilla Valley.
The FIM Motocross of Nations 2008 in Northern Ireland will be the 62nd time the annual event has been staged.

Moneyglass Demesne:

Moneyglass Demesne is a purpose built motocross track located around 40 minutes from Belfast. It hosted the FIM World Championship Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland on 18th and 19th August 2007 and will host the FIM Motocross of Nations in September 2008. The venue features 350 acres of land well suited to staging the greatest motocross race on the planet. On a course developed and built by Joe Cockburn, the FIM Motocross of Nations 2008 track is recognized as one of the best in the world by the riders themselves.